Funding Archives | American Libraries Magazine

United for Libraries 2021 Virtual Conference

Advocacy through Storytelling

By Tess Wilson | August 23, 2021

Sessions underscored that stories—of individuals, of libraries, of communities—are at the core of library advocacy. “It’s really all about storytelling,” observed Beth Nawalinski, executive director of United for Libraries, during the conference. Representation in collections At “Auditing Diversity in Library Collections,” Sarah Voels, community engagement librarian at Cedar Rapids (Iowa) Public Library (CRPL), described the … Continue reading Advocacy through Storytelling →

Hands holding small red heart with banner -- text reads The ALA COVID Library Relief Fund

ALA Distributes COVID-19 Emergency Relief

June 25, 2021

Through the ALA COVID Library Relief Fund, grantees representing academic, public, school, and tribal libraries will receive grants between $30,000 and $50,000 to support library services and operations. The ALA COVID Library Relief Fund represents a significant nonfederal grant opportunity for libraries. The funds support libraries’ efforts to increase and enhance technology access, collection development, … Continue reading ALA Distributes COVID-19 Emergency Relief →

Librarian's Library by Anna Gooding-Call

Getting Money for Your Library

By Anna Gooding-Call | June 1, 2021

Crash Course in Library Budgeting and Finance By Glen E. Holt and Leslie E. Holt Budgeting and finance can be daunting for people whose previous library experience has focused more on reference or circulation work. But this title delivers a concentrated overview of everything a neophyte library administrator may need, breaking down information … Continue reading Getting Money for Your Library →

Emergency Broadband Benefit (text curved in the shape of a Wi-Fi signal)

FCC Opens Emergency Broadband Benefit Program

By Larra Clark | May 11, 2021

Program and application essentials, including eligibility, are outlined in a new FCC-American Library Association (ALA) fact sheet for libraries. A household is eligible if one of its members meets any of the following criteria: Has an income at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines or participates in certain assistance programs, such as the Supplemental … Continue reading FCC Opens Emergency Broadband Benefit Program →

From the Executive Director by Tracie D. Hall

A Hurting Thing

By Tracie D. Hall | May 3, 2021

Usually the calls were about the kids who frequented the library—which ones had graduated, who was off to college or the military, and sometimes, sadly, who had been shot or killed, or gone to jail. One call still haunts me: A teenage boy I knew well was facing serious time in a juvenile detention center. … Continue reading A Hurting Thing →

ALA Announces COVID Library Relief Fund

April 9, 2021

These funds are intended to bolster library operations and services, including technology access, collections, digital instruction, staffing, and outreach. Funds can be used to maintain and amplify existing service strategies or add new ones. “Libraries have demonstrated extraordinary innovation over the past year in creating new materials, programs, and service delivery models, but they are … Continue reading ALA Announces COVID Library Relief Fund →

What the American Rescue Plan Act Means for Libraries

By Kathi Kromer | March 12, 2021

Of the $200 million for IMLS, $178 million is allocated for the Library Services and Technology Act and will go to state library administrative agencies on a population-based formula. IMLS announced state allotments for ARPA funding in a March 11 press release. Because there is a $2 million state minimum, every state will receive a … Continue reading What the American Rescue Plan Act Means for Libraries →

The Future of Fundraising

By Terra Dankowski | January 24, 2021

“This [past] year I personally took charge of looking at our donors and thinking, ‘How can we fundraise during this difficult time?’” said Lauren Trujillo, director of the Santa Barbara (Calif.) Public Library Foundation (SBPLF). Trujillo, along with Andrea Lapsley, president of Texas Library and Archives Foundation (TxLAF) in Austin, moderated “The Future of Library … Continue reading The Future of Fundraising →

2020 Year in Review

January 4, 2021

ALA Headquarters Move After 57 years on East Huron Street in Chicago’s River North neighborhood, ALA headquarters relocated to Michigan Plaza at 225 N. Michigan Avenue. ALA Welcomes New Executive Director Tracie D. Hall began on February 24 as the American Library Association’s (ALA) new executive director (ED). The 10th ED—and the first female … Continue reading 2020 Year in Review →

From the President, by Julius C. Jefferson Jr.

A New Year of Hope

By Julius C. Jefferson Jr. | January 4, 2021

Similarly, 2020 made an indelible impression on the history of our country, and it has left us collectively exhausted. Many will remember it as the year we were locked down, Zoomed out, and either lonely or wanting to be alone. We lost loved ones, icons, and champions. We were confronted with furloughs and loss of … Continue reading A New Year of Hope →

Images from Morgantown (W.Va.) Public Library System’s 2021 Wild and Weird fundraiser calendar, featuring library workers and adoptable cats

Raising Money for a Good Claws

By Corina Chang | December 30, 2020

Created as a fundraiser with the help of local animal adoption agencies, Morgantown (W.Va.) Public Library System’s (MPLS) limited-edition 2021 calendar features librarians posing with adoptable cats. Thus was born our 2021 Wild and Weird calendar. Each month features library workers from MPLS—all fully clothed, of course!—alongside an adoptable cat, including Cadillac Frank (a gray … Continue reading Raising Money for a Good Claws →

A Transition Plan for Library Advocates

By Kathi Kromer | November 13, 2020

Based on campaign pledges, the Biden-Harris administration will be more favorable to education investment and the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion. President-Elect Joe Biden’s cabinet selections will likely indicate a significant shift in policy around education, telecommunications, workforce issues, and many other areas. However, the change of leadership in the White House does not … Continue reading A Transition Plan for Library Advocates →

Latest Library Links

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Shayne Rodriguez Thompson writes: “We’ve found ourselves endlessly impressed with the literature coming from authors like Elizabeth Acevedo and Elisabet Velasquez, and we’re so thankful that there’s a huge space in the genre for both established and up-and-coming Latinx authors. These stories not only have the power to help us feel seen, but they also have the power to expose individuals who aren’t Latinx to our unique perspectives from a young age, and that’s what representation is all about. So here, we’re sharing 13 must-read books by Latinx authors from the young adult genre that we think should be on every Latinx book nerd’s to-read list.”

PopSugar, Sept. 15
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In Episode 66, Call Number with American Libraries looks at two libraries featured in the 2021 Library Design Showcase. First, Heather Hart, manager of Salt Lake City Public Library’s Sprague branch, talks about renovations that were made to the 93-year-old, English Tudor–style library after a flood destroyed much of the building in 2017. Next, Sean Ngo from architecture firm DLR Group discusses constructing the Cybrarium, a new technology-focused library in Homestead, Florida.

AL: The Scoop, Sept. 21
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Teacher-librarian Julia Torres writes: “A few days before the 2019–2020 school year began, a colleague suggested genrefication, or organizing the fiction collection by genre rather than alphabetically by authors’ last names. The process seemed daunting at first, as our fiction collection includes almost 4,000 physical items. But over the course of five days—with the help of four librarians from the district—we managed to do it. When school opened, the magic began to happen.”

American Libraries column, Sept./Oct.
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Teachers are always looking for new ways to get kids inspired to read—and librarians in Kentucky say their solution is a four-legged friend. The Cynthiana-Harrison Public Library has teamed up with a local farm to bring Hank the Horse to the library. It’s all part of the Promoting the Pages for a Purpose program. Kids can check out books, take them back to farm where Hank lives, and read to him and nearly a dozen other rescue horses.

WZTV-TV (Nashville), Sept. 20
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Rosemary D’Urso writes: “With its stunning colors, exciting holidays, and delicious treats, there is so much magic and wonder around the fall season. Many picture books display awe-inspiring autumnal activities through gorgeous artwork and characters picking apples, enjoying hayrides, and choosing the perfect pumpkin. As the weather gets cooler, grab a blanket and cozy up with a loved one while enjoying these fabulous fall stories.”

Brightly, Sept. 17
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Pat Mueller writes: “Florida State University says its police department is investigating after nearly 5,000 rare items were taken from a special collection at Strozier Library. According to an FSU spokesperson, 4,996 items went missing from the Robert M. Ervin Jr. Collection between March 17, 2020, and February 10, 2021. The collection consists of comic books and serials about superheroes, science fiction, fantasy, and horror, including rare Marvel and DC comics.”

WCTV-TV (Tallahassee), Sept. 20
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Bill Furbee writes: “Libraries across the country are using the expanding prevalence of music streaming to connect with local artists, offering them a platform to share their music digitally and freely to music lovers around the world. And when done right, it can also set the stage for deeper community connections.”

American Libraries Trend, Sept./Oct.

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